Lost in the Hills

Chapter 14 (Promises)

The king winced in pain as he fell to the floor. Blood began to drip from his mouth. He quickly turned pale. And then lifeless. 

Flynn put his arm around her. Yolam jokingly put his arm around Clark. Clark shoved him away. 

The guards entered the palace singing chanties but stopped when they sensed the eerie quiet of the large throne room. Upon further inspection they saw the king's dead body, and his daughter holding the murder weapon, while being comforted by her kidnapper. 

"Your majesty?" Icar said cautiously, his hand reaching toward his sword. He stepped around to the opposite side of the room to face her. 

"Your king is dead." She revealed. The guards who hadn't realized what had happened yet gasped. "Yes, it's true, I killed him. But if any of you have been paying attention to the way he treats people, you would see it as a blessing that his coward is rid of this castle. For those of you who couldn't see through it, here's some news. The king murdered Hazel." Many gasps and wallows were heard bouncing about the room. "That's right. The beloved and sweet maid who spent her entire life right here serving the royal family. Killed based on an untrue assumption. I understand that since I killed the king I am no longer fit to run the throne. Which is why I am stepping down and shall no longer be associated with royal blood. I would like to appoint this kingdom to a person who I think has proven themselves to be a strong and fearless leader. I know I can trust him to keep the kingdom in good hands. So, if he will accept this offer, Finius," He looked up in shock, "Will you rule this kingdom?" 

"Uhm, I- why me? I'm the youngest of the three of us!" Finius said in wonderment.

"You may be the youngest, but you are the kindest, and the most mature." She said proudly. "Do you accept?"

"Well, yes. I'd be honored to." Finius said strongly. 

She walked up to him and smiled, "By the way," she whispered, "if I had to choose between you three, I would have picked you." He blushed and smiled shyly.

"To king Finius!" She yelled.

"To king Finius!" Everyone responded gleefully. 

She walked up to Ravere who was standing close by. "Ravere, I know you put your job on the line for this cause tonight, which is why I am firing you as my last act as a royal."

"Wha- after everything? Why?" He stuttered.

"Go follow your dream. Be a dancer Ravere. I want you to take one-hundred coins from the safe."

"Princess I- how could I ever thank you?" He gave her a hug. 

She smiled at Ravere and walked over to Yolam and Clark.

"I'm sorry I didn't pick one of you, it didn't feel right." She said with guilt. 

"Hey it's okay, maybe we'll go get jobs at that bar Flynn was just telling us about." Clark said.

"Yeah, sounds like a simple life." Yolam said. 

They shared a group hug. She saw a familiar face enter the palace.

"Donal!" She ran up to him.

"Hey there lass. I'll bet when ye left the castle this time ye weren't expectin' this!" He laughed his contagious laugh. "So what's next for ye? Still gonna stop by to our bar, won't ye?"

"Of course Donal. But it's time to start over somewhere new."

"I understand. I'll miss ye lassie."

"I'll miss you too, Donal. Thanks for everything." She gave him a hug as well. He wiped away a tear. 

Finally she walked up to Flynn. He saw her coming from across the room and smiled a brilliant smile at her.

"Hey." He said coyly.

"Hey." She smiled.

Flynn grabbed her hand and she turned to take one last look of the place she grew up. She took a deep breath, "Let's go be free."

Her and Flynn ran out the palace gates not looking back. They ran all the way into the woods, to her hideaway, the creek, the open meadow. Never once did they turn around. 

Her name was Xylia.